“Now let’s go back to my closet. Even my castoff clothes are better than most of the things you’ve been wearing.”

  Megan tried not to be offended. “You know, Belinda,” she said calmly as Belinda began handing her items of clothing. “I think I’ve spent more time on my inner self than I have on my outer self. I used to think that was good.”

  “It’s good if you want to become a nun.” Belinda laughed.

  With an armload of clothes and a whole lot more of Belinda’s wardrobe advice, Megan suddenly found herself feeling overwhelmed. More than ever, she wished she were at youth group tonight. At youth group, she usually ended up feeling better about herself. Right now she felt blurry and buried—and not just in clothes either.

  “Maybe I’m in over my head,” she confessed as they were sorting and hanging the clothes in Megan’s reorganized closet. “You told me before that I wasn’t the prom queen type. Maybe I really am delusional.”

  Belinda firmly shook her head. “No, after spending time with you tonight, I honestly think you can do this, Megan.”

  “Really?”

  Belinda put a hand on her shoulder. “I do. You’re changing. I think if you keep working at this, if you really set your heart on achieving it and keep thinking positively, you can do this.”

  “It’s a lot of work.”

  “I know.”

  They spent the rest of the evening looking at dresses, shoes, and hairstyles online. Belinda was slowly getting the choices narrowed down, and her plan was for the two of them to go shopping next weekend.

  “But what about my weight?” Megan asked. “I wanted to lose at least five pounds by prom.”

  “If we find a dress, and that’s a big if, we’ll make sure it’s a little on the snug side. If you lose more than five pounds, which would be great, you can always have it taken in.”

  “More than five pounds?” Megan knew she’d be lucky to lose five.

  Belinda pulled up a website with the latest diet plan. “If you follow this, you could easily lose ten pounds by prom,” she assured her.

  “I’ll print it out,” Megan told her. “Thanks.”

  It was late by the time Megan went to bed, but she knew that it had been time well spent. She hadn’t been very close to Belinda. Not since they were little girls, playing with Barbies. And never in her life had Megan felt so truly thankful for her older sister’s help. Tonight she realized that Belinda really was one in a million, and not only did Megan feel blessed to have such a sister—she did not want to let her down!

  8

  Megan had heard it said that it took two weeks to change a habit, but two weeks after her decision to run for prom queen, she felt like a totally new person. And she wasn’t the only one to notice the change.

  “Something about you is different.”

  Megan was surprised to see Jack Speers in the lunch line behind her. She had known Jack for several years. Like her, he was in choir, but unlike her, he was known as a singing sensation. He had a baritone voice that landed him the best solos in choral concerts. But right now, Jack was staring at her—almost as if seeing her for the first time.

  “Did you say something to me?” Megan asked him.

  He twisted his mouth to one side. “I can’t put my finger on it, but I’ve noticed it lately. Something about you is different.”

  “Different good? Or different bad?” She removed a straw from the dispenser.

  He grinned. “Different good.”

  “Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “It is a compliment.”

  “Are you trying out for the spring musical?” she asked as she moved forward in the line. It was the only small talk she could think of, but she wanted to keep this conversation going.

  “I wasn’t really planning on it, but everyone’s been nagging me. And this is my last year, so I suppose I should.” He set a napkin on his tray. “How about you?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Megan hadn’t been in a musical since her sophomore year.

  “Oh, come on,” he urged her. “You’d look great in a babushka.”

  She laughed. “So it’s decided then? They’re really doing Fiddler on the Roof?”

  He rubbed his chin. “Yeah, already I’m starting to itch.”

  “Huh?”

  “You know, the glue for sticking on the beards. I’ll bet it’s itchy.”

  “Does that mean you’d play the father? I can’t remember the name.”

  “Tevye,” he offered. “Yeah, that’s probably the role I’d go for. He gets some great songs. But I think most of the guys will have to wear beards.”

  It was almost her turn at the register. “Well, I’m sure you’d be a good Tevye,” she said over her shoulder.

  “Hey, why don’t you try out for Golde?” He leaned forward and spoke quietly in her ear as she dug out her cash. “That’s Tevye’s wife.”

  She felt a warm rush of delight as she looked into his dark brown eyes. “Is that a come-on line?” she asked in a slightly teasing tone.

  He chuckled. “Maybe so.”

  She giggled as she handed the cashier a five.

  “So you’ll think about it?”

  She looked back at him and smiled. “Golde, eh?”

  His eyes twinkled. “Tryouts start after school on Thursday.”

  She moved away from the register so he could pay for his lunch but lingered nearby to finish the conversation.

  “So, whaddya think?” he asked as he joined her.

  “I think I might do it,” she said shyly. “But only if you promise to try out with me.”

  He nodded eagerly. “Okay then, it’s a deal.”

  He walked with her to the table where her friends were already seated, and she asked him if he wanted to join them. To her surprise, he actually seemed to consider it, but then he nodded over to where some of his music friends were waiting. “Not this time, but I’m serious about tryouts. Let’s do it together—like a package deal. It’ll be fun.”

  She felt herself being swept away by his charm as she agreed.

  “Great! I’ll catch you after lunch and we can put together a plan,” he told her.

  “Sounds good.” She sat down with her friends, trying not to giggle.

  “What is going on between you and Jack Speers?” Lishia asked with wide-eyed interest.

  “I’m not totally sure,” Megan quietly confessed, “but I think he’s coming on to me.” She told them about Jack’s suggestion that they try out for the musical together. “I told him I’d do it!” Now she did break out into giggles. “Can you believe that? Jack and me playing husband and wife in Fiddler?”

  “You don’t have time to be in a musical this year,” Janelle told her. “You’ve already got the fundraiser and your book club, not to mention your campaign—that is, unless you plan to give up running for prom queen.”

  “She can’t give that up,” Chelsea said quickly. “She’s already ordered her posters and flyers and candy and stuff.”

  “Don’t worry,” Megan assured them. “I’m not giving anything up. I’ll just humor Jack and see where it goes. Besides, if I can get Jack’s support, that could mean a lot of votes from his friends too.”

  “And everyone knows Jack Speers has lots of friends.” Lishia nodded over to the table where Jack was surrounded by a small crowd of girls and fellow music kids.

  “Hey, does Jack have a girlfriend?” Chelsea asked. “If not, maybe he could be Megan’s date for the prom.”

  Janelle and Lishia found this highly amusing. Megan knew this was because despite being constantly surrounded by admiring girls, Jack Speers never seemed to have a girlfriend.

  “Rumor has it that Jack isn’t into girls,” Janelle told Chelsea. “I mean, as far as dating, if you know what I mean.” She chuckled like this was really funny.

  “You shouldn’t repeat things you don’t know for sure,” Megan sternly told her. “That’s like gossiping. And you know that’s wrong, Janelle.”

  Janelle held up her hands. “Just saying.”

  “Well, don’t!” Megan glared at her.

  “Sorry.” Janelle rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to go ballistic.”

  After lunch, Megan joined Jack in the courtyard, where they made a quick plan to meet after school, get some scripts, and practice a scene together. Megan knew she might be putting too much on her plate, but she didn’t care. If anyone had told her just a few weeks ago that she would be trying out for the spring musical with the delectable Jack Speers, she would not have believed it. It was like her life and high school experience were finally turning into what she’d always dreamed they should be, and she had to think it was all due to Pastor Robbie’s Shower of Power sermon about positive thinking. Maybe she should write him a thank-you letter.

  Another interesting development in Megan’s amazing new life was that Dayton Moore (star quarterback and Kingston hottie) seemed to be growing increasingly interested in her. At first she’d assumed he only wanted her academic assistance. But after she helped him with his essay, he continued trailing her, and Megan realized that for the first time in her life, she was actually flirting. And it felt great!

  “Want to go grab something to eat with me?” he asked her after school.

  “You mean right now?” She closed her locker and studied him.

  “Yeah, I’m starving.”

  She laughed. “Thanks, but I have to meet someone.”

  He frowned. “What about later?”

  She explained her plan to try out with Jack for the musical.

  Dayton made a crooked smile. “Well, I guess I don’t need to be too worried then.”

  “Huh?”

  “I mean ’cause it’s just Jack. It’s not like he’s real competition.”

  Megan’s smile faded.

  Dayton patted her on the cheek. “You’re sweet,” he said in a patronizing way. “Catch ya later.”

  She just nodded as she called Arianna’s number, explaining that she was going to be running late again.

  “More prom queen stuff?” Arianna asked.

  Megan told her about the musical.

  “Really, you’re going to be in Fiddler on the Roof?” Arianna actually sounded impressed. “That’s so cool.”

  “Nothing is for sure yet,” Megan explained. “Tryouts aren’t until Thursday. But I promised to practice with a friend today. Probably tomorrow too.”

  “I’ll just plan to ride home with Olivia this week,” Arianna offered.

  Megan thanked her and headed off toward the music department, but on her way, she noticed Zoë again. Determined not to make the same overly friendly mistake as before, Megan considered taking a different route, except that she was already running late. Zoë was with a guy today, so Megan decided to give them plenty of space. Keeping her eyes off them, she cut a wide berth, attempting to hurry past.

  “Ouch!” Zoë shrieked. “Knock it off, Trevor!”

  Megan heard the guy curse, followed by what sounded like a loud smack. Despite wanting to ignore whatever was going on, Megan stopped and turned to see. Zoë’s hand was on her face, and she had a hurt look in her eyes. Had he hit her?

  “I said knock it off,” Zoë told Trevor. But instead of backing off, he grabbed her arm, twisted it behind her, made a fist, and looked like he was about to punch her in the face.

  “Hey!” Megan yelled. “Zoë said to knock it off.”

  “Butt out, you—”

  “Go away!” Zoë warned Megan.

  “No.” Megan reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and held it up like a weapon. “If you don’t leave Zoë alone, I’m calling 911. Right now.”

  Now he swore at her.

  “I mean it,” she yelled loudly, hoping that someone would hear her and come over to help, or at least witness what was escalating into a frightening scene. “Leave her alone!”

  Trevor released Zoë’s arm, but now he came directly toward Megan.

  “Back off!” Megan yelled as she focused on her phone, punching the nine with a shaky finger.

  “Don’t touch her!” Zoë yelled.

  Just then Megan’s phone was whacked from her hand. She looked up in time to see Trevor about to smack her, but in that same instant Zoë swung her backpack like a club, landing it solidly across the side of his head. He reeled off to one side, and Megan dove to get her phone, which had snapped in two.

  “This time I mean it,” she yelled as she held her broken phone as if it was still working. “I’m calling 911 right now!”

  Trevor glared at her, then swore at Zoë, but to Megan’s relief he took off running.

  “Are you okay?” she asked Zoë.

  “Are you really calling 911?” Zoë came over to see.

  Megan held up her ruined phone.

  “Sorry about that,” Zoë said.

  “What was that all about?” Megan studied the bright red mark on Zoë’s cheek. “Why was he hitting you?”

  “Trevor’s a jerk.”

  “A nasty, mean, bully sort of a jerk.” Megan dropped the remains of her phone into her bag. “But seriously, why was he hitting you?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “Are you guys a couple?”

  “Not anymore.” Zoë let out a weary sigh. “That’s why he was so mad. I just broke up with him.”

  “Good for you.”

  Zoë shrugged.

  “Seriously, Zoë.” Megan peered into her eyes. “You could do a lot better than someone like that.”

  “Trevor wasn’t always that way. He was nice when we first got together.”

  “I don’t recall seeing him before. Does he actually go to school here?”

  Zoë shook her head.

  “Then he shouldn’t even be on campus.”

  “It’s no big deal.”

  Megan put her hand on Zoë’s shoulder. “It is a big deal. That guy is a brute. He hit you, and it looked like he wasn’t finished either.” Megan frowned. “Are you even safe now?”

  Zoë looked like she was about to cry.

  “Look, I’ve got to meet somebody, but you could come with me. Then I can give you a ride home afterwards. Okay?”

  Zoë seemed uncertain.

  “Come on,” Megan urged her. “I’m already running late.” Then to Megan’s relief, Zoë walked with her. As they headed for the music building, Megan explained who she was meeting and why. Zoë didn’t say anything, but at least she came along.

  Zoë sat in the back of the room while Jack and Megan practiced some lines and then sang “Sunrise, Sunset” a couple of times. Megan was having such a good time that she almost forgot about Zoë and the earlier altercation, but when they finally finished up, Zoë was still waiting, reading a paperback book. She didn’t even seem very perturbed that it had taken nearly two hours.

  “That was awesome,” Jack told her. “You’ll make a great Golde.”

  “Your voice is perfect for Tevye,” she said.

  “You guys sounded pretty good together.” Zoë shoved the book in her pack. Megan had briefly explained to Jack about the episode with Trevor. Thankfully, he wasn’t asking too many questions.

  “Same time, same place tomorrow?” Jack asked.

  “Sure.” Megan nodded as she picked up her bag.

  As Megan and Zoë walked to the parking lot, Megan kept glancing around, trying to make sure that Trevor wasn’t lurking somewhere, ready to jump them. Finally they were safe in her car and she started to relax. “How are you doing?” she asked Zoë as she pulled out onto the street.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Do you think Trevor will leave you alone now?”

  Zoë just shrugged.

  “Do you still live in Tuscan Heights?”

  She nodded. “Why are you being nice to me, Megan?”

  Megan wasn’t sure how to answer. “We used to be friends, remember?”

  “Yeah, but then you ditched me in middle school.”

  Megan glanced at her. “I ditched you?”

  Zoë nodded, slumping down into the seat in a dejected way.

  “I didn’t ditch you, Zoë. You started getting wild and running around with kids who were trouble—kids like Trevor.”

  “That’s because you ditched me.”

  Megan felt confused. “No,” she insisted. “You ditched me.”

  “Seriously?” Zoë frowned. “You honestly think I ditched you?”

  Megan firmly nodded. “I know you did. I remember when I told you that I couldn’t be friends with Devin Gartolli. I knew she was into drugs and alcohol and I just didn’t want to go there. But you insisted on hanging with her. It was like you chose her over me. Don’t you remember that?”

  “Maybe it was a mutual ditching,” she conceded.

  “Can I ask you something?” Megan turned into Zoë’s subdivision.

  “I guess.”

  “Are you glad you made the choices you did?”

  Zoë laughed, but there was a lot of sadness in it.

  “I mean, if you could do it over, would you do it all the same way?”

  “Obviously I’d do some things differently.” Zoë pulled her backpack onto her lap and removed a package of cigarettes, shaking one out.

  Megan didn’t want her to smoke in the car, but Zoë’s house was only a few blocks away, so she didn’t say anything as Zoë lit up, although she did put her window down. “Well, maybe we can be friends now,” Megan said as she pulled in front of Zoë’s house. It looked a lot more run down than it used to.

  “Yeah, right. I’m sure we’re going to be best friends now.” Zoë opened the door and stuck a foot out.

  “Fine, maybe we won’t be best friends.” Megan gave her a wistful smile. “But at least we can say hi and stuff, can’t we?”

  “Sure. Why not?” Zoë climbed out.

  “Take care.”

  Zoë leaned down with a sad little smile. “Thanks for helping me.”

  Megan just nodded and waved as Zoë closed the door. As she drove home, she wished she’d said something more to her. Maybe she should’ve invited Zoë to come to youth group on Saturday. Or maybe that was pushing too hard. The important thing was that it seemed like she’d made a real connection with her old friend. And it seemed like Zoë had appreciated it. That felt amazingly good.